Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee, wife of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested on charges including stock manipulation, election interference, and bribery, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The arrest comes weeks after Yoon himself was detained for a second time over an alleged attempt to impose martial law last year, making them the first former presidential couple in South Korea’s history to be jailed simultaneously.
On Tuesday, the Seoul Central District Court approved the arrest warrant, citing concerns that Kim might destroy evidence. The warrant was sought by special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team, which is probing violations of the Capital Market Act, Political Funds Act, and bribery-related laws.
Prosecutors argued Kim posed a significant risk of evidence tampering, while her lawyers claimed she had been cooperative and was dealing with health problems.
Investigators accuse Kim of helping manipulate the stock price of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership, between 2009 and 2012; meddling in candidate selection for the 2022 by-elections and 2024 general elections; and accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church via a shaman in exchange for business favours.
She also faces scrutiny over 16 additional allegations, including claims that a motorway endpoint was rerouted to benefit her family’s land in Yangpyeong and that her family received preferential treatment in a local apartment development.
Last week, during questioning, Kim apologised for causing public concern, calling herself “a nobody,” but she denied all charges.
Originally set to be held at Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang—where her husband is currently imprisoned—Kim was instead transferred to Seoul Southern Detention Centre following a facility request approved by the court.